Energy Saving and Environmentally Friendly Mobile Atmospheric Dehumidifier For Water Generator and Drinking Purposes

ABSTRACT

An atmospheric dehumidifier air handling unit producing condensation water from moisture in the atmospheric suitable for water generator and drinking purposes. A method and apparatus to produce pure condensation water from moisture in the atmosphere using energy saving and environmentally friendly atmospheric dehumidifier of a condensing unit. In warm climates, filtered and sterilized fresh atmospheric air is passed through several evaporator cooling coils to condense the moisture in the atmospheric air. The condensed water is then collected on a drip pan and into a discharge line cooler. In cool climates, filtered and sterilized cold fresh atmospheric air is passed to a condenser of the condensing unit of the air handling unit. The fresh heated air is then passed to several evaporator cooling coils to condense the moisture in the atmospheric air. The condensed water is then collected on a drip pan.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to water purification units.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Worldwide water shortage is a crisis. Many countries of the worldalready have an inadequate water supply. In the past, people searchedfor locations to settle wherever freshwater sources were convenientlyaccessible, nearby rivers or lakes, and around locations of abundantgroundwater or within regions of sufficient rainfall. Whenever waterresources became scarce, they moved on to develop new settlements wherethey had easy access of water supply. As the earth became heavilypopulated, fertile and water-rich land became overcrowded and eventuallycommunities had to settle in regions of limited water resources. Usablewater supplies have been reduced by pollution and sewage waste.Furthermore, change in weather patterns has reduced rainfall in someareas and deserts started to creep in as water resources were depleted,while the inhabitants had no recourse but to stay. Water treatment suchas with chemicals such as chlorine or other halogens, however, theby-products of such treatment may be toxic and the result in furthercontamination. Treated municipal water supplies may be contaminated withmay lead to health problems in drinking such water.

These days many commercial potable water sources are produced from theground water. The ground water might be contaminated by pollutants suchas pesticides or chemical wastes. Taking the ground water in a largescale may lead to severe problems such as decreasing the ground leveland shortage of needed water supplies or other environmental problems.Various attempts have been made to come up with a system fordehumidifying moisture of air and purifying the water produced in suchsystems for drinking purposes. Producing potable water by dehumidifyingmoisture from the air, is an attractive alternative.

In one prior art, the unit also must be primed initially withapproximately 10 litres of start-up water which can be a source ofinitial contaminants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOC), whichare neither removed nor broken down by either UV radiation or granularcarbon charcoal. The compressor operates to maintain a cold set-pointtemperature within the water reservoir, i.e., the compressor operates tocool the fluid remaining in the reservoir even when the device is notactively producing water condensate.

This may also be achieved through the use of a refrigeration systemincluding a compressor, evaporator, fan condenser, and a reservoirsystem provided as an indoor unit, window or wall mounted unit, or aportable or mobile indoor/outdoor unit, and may be integrated with anexisting air conditioning system and/or a conventional refrigerator, ormounted in a vehicle. The apparatus may also function as a dehumidifier,an air purifier, or a heat pump for cooling or heating air. In someembodiments the compressor, condenser, and water dispenser are remotefrom the housing. Collected water may be cooled by a secondaryevaporator and heated by a secondary condenser or strip heater. Thesecondary condenser and secondary evaporator may be connected with asecondary compressor to isolate the system for cooling water from thatof condensing the air. Such units are often befouled by bacteria orother contaminants sometimes caused from insects or rodents entering theunits.

Similar prior art disclose systems and methods for extraction offreshwater from ambient air in regions of extremely hot and humidclimates, for supply of drinking water and freshwater for small to largegroups of people in areas that freshwater resources are not convenientlyaccessible. Compact mobile units are disclosed to provide freshwater anddrinking water for resort areas, to passengers on land and sea vehicles,in situations of emergency, and to areas of water shortage. The art ofadaptation of commercial dehumidification units is taught in design andconstruction of apparatus for production of freshwater and drinkingwater. Preparation of drinking water included ultraviolet disinfection,ozone treatment, and/or chlorine addition; activated carbon and ionexchange filters; and adding of fluorine, air/oxygen to refresh thewater storage units, and minerals for taste and health provisions. Forenergy economy and use of independent electric power supply, theproduced water may flow under gravitational forces entirely or with theassistance of small boasting pumps. Lukewarm, hot, cold, and/or coldcarbonated drinking water are provided as well as freshwater for otherusage.

Many of the systems available present maintenance problems relating tothe positioning of drains.

The prior art commonly use a typical refrigerant deicer system to keeptheir evaporators from freezing under low condensate flow rates, whichcan occur with cool ambient air. The units usually use large capacityrefrigerant gas dehumidifiers. The refrigerant gas from the compressorcools an evaporator coil and, when ambient air is passed by the coil,moisture condenses out and drips to a collector below. When operatedover extended periods or in cooler temperatures, the evaporator tends tofreeze over due to low flow rate of condensate. Some have overcome thisproblem by switching over to hot-gas bypass mode. A thermostat and/orhumidistat control assists in determining when the compressor switchesover. When the temperature of the incoming air is too low, this on/offcycle during cooler temperatures drastically reduces production of wateruntil the compressor eventually stops.

There is thus a need for a unit that can operate in a wide range ofconditions including hot weather or cold weather. Such a device shouldbe movable and the water extracted from the humidity taken out of theambient air should be potable.

It is an object of this invention to provide a dehumidifier fordehumidifying moisture of the air while purifying the water extractedfrom the humidity making it potable for drinking purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary,the frame “comprising”, “consisting of”, and the like, are to beconstrued as inclusive and not exhaustive.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is a method fordehumidifying an atmospheric air or the like comprising the steps of:

-   -   (a) drawing the atmospheric air across a cooling means thereby        cooling the atmospheric air; and    -   (b) at the same time rejecting the heat of the atmospheric air        to remove moisture therefrom;    -   (c) transferring the moisture removed from the atmospheric air        or the like to a filtering system thereby    -   (d) filtering and purifying the removed moisture wherein the        purified water is suitable for a water generator or drinking        purposes.

The step of drawing the atmospheric air comprises passing theatmospheric air through a duct of an Air Handling Unit.

The step of passing the atmospheric air through a series of an air prefilter, a medium filter and a set of UV lights.

The cooling means is an evaporator coil.

The direction of drawing the atmospheric air can be switched in areverse direction using a blower such that in a warm climate theatmospheric air is passed through the cooling means then heated while ina cool climate, the atmospheric air is heated then passed through thecooling means.

The step of heating the atmospheric air is conducted by a condenser.

The step of cooling the atmospheric air produces condensation formedfrom the moisture in the atmospheric air, the condensation is therebycollected on a drip pan and transferred to a discharge line coolerwherein the condensation will pass over a refrigerant discharge line ofa condensing unit.

The condensation is pumped to a storage tank further comprising the stepof monitoring the level of water in the storage tank and drawing theatmospheric air across the cooling means when the level reaches apredetermined lower level in the storage tank.

The cooling of the atmospheric air is achieved by connecting theevaporator coil with an expansion valve and the condensing unit.

The condensing unit consist of compressors, condenser, liquid receiver,liquid line sight glass and liquid line filter dryer.

An environmentally friendly refrigerant is used in the refrigerant lineof the condensing unit, evaporator coils and expansion valve.

The cooling means and the condenser are in close proximity therebyreducing energy needed for the method.

The refrigerant discharge line is dipped into the discharge line cooler.

The atmospheric air is then being heated by the condenser or in otherwords, the condenser is then cooled by the cold air coming from thecooling means of the Air Handling Unit.

An apparatus for dehumidifying atmospheric air or the like comprising:

-   a housing;-   an atmospheric air intake means mounted in the housing;-   a cooling means mounted in the housing;-   an air pre filter, a medium filter and a set of UV lights;-   a heat-exchanging mean mounted in the housing;-   a chamber associated with the housing;

The apparatus includes a panel mounted on the housing for operating theapparatus, including an inverter adapter mounted on the housing.

A dehumidifier and water condensation system for dehumidifying moistureor the like comprising:

-   -   a) a dehumidifier for holding moisture or the like;    -   b) a humidity removal means for drawing humid ambient air from        the atmosphere for removing humidity from the ambient air        thereby forming dry heated air; and    -   c) a dispensing means for dispensing said dry heated air to the        dehumidifier to thereby dehumidify the moisture or the like and        remove moisture therefrom;        including the step of recovering moisture from the ambient air        after dehumidifying the same and purifying the moisture to form        a condensation water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the flow process of thesystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Described is an atmospheric dehumidifier air handling unit producingcondensation water from moisture in the atmosphere suitable for a watergenerator and drinking purposes.

A Method and apparatus to produce pure condensation water from moisturein the atmosphere using energy saving and environmentally friendlyatmospheric dehumidifier of a condensing unit comprising:

In warm climates, filtered and sterilized fresh atmospheric air ispassed through several evaporator cooling coils to condense the moisturein the atmospheric air. The condensed water is then collected on a drippan and into a discharge line cooler. To reduce the power consumption,the cold air after passing the evaporator cooling coils is then passedto the condenser of the condensing unit of the air handling unit. Arefrigerant discharge line coming out from the compressor is dippedthrough the discharge line cooler of cold condensation drip of the waterto gain further energy saving.

In cool climates, filtered and sterilized cold fresh atmospheric air ispassed to a condenser of the condensing unit of the air handling unit.The fresh heated air is then passed to several evaporator cooling coilsto condense the moisture in the atmospheric air. The condensed water isthen collected on a drip pan. The refrigerant discharge line coming outfrom the compressor is also dipped through the discharge line cooler ofcold condensation drip of the water.

The system is additionally fitted with an alternative environmentallyfriendly refrigerant to further reduce power consumption.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is a method fordehumidifying an atmospheric air or the like comprising the steps of

-   -   (a) drawing the atmospheric air across a cooling means thereby        cooling the atmospheric air;    -   (b) removing moisture from the atmospheric air;    -   (c) transferring the moisture removed from the atmospheric air        or the like to a filtering system    -   (d) filtering and purifying the removed moisture wherein the        purified water is suitable for a water generator or drinking        purposes.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the following description willdescribe in detail an energy saving and environmentally friendly potablewater production dehumidifier. There are two schemes of operation, whichthe unit can be operated either in summer and autumn in subtropical ortropical countries where the direction of the drawn air is passedthrough the evaporator coils then to the condenser; while in winter andspring, the direction of the drawn air is passed through the condenserthen to the evaporator coils.

In the first scheme of operation, the compressor (16) will compress therefrigerant vapour to the condenser (15) through discharge line (13) inhigh pressure and temperature. The discharge line (13) is cooled bydipping it into the cold condensation water drop from the evaporatorcoils (7) in the discharge line cooler (14), which is collected from thedrip pan (8), so it will save the energy. In the condenser (15), therefrigerant vapour will reject heat causing the refrigerant beingcondensed. After passing the condenser (15), then the liquid refrigerantwill pass to the expansion valves (6) through the liquid line filterdryer (11) and liquid line sight glass (12). After the refrigerant beingexpanded in the expansion valves (6) then the refrigerant pressure andtemperature will drop significantly and enter to the evaporator coils(7).

In the dehumidifier evaporator coils (7), the liquid refrigerant willabsorb heat of the fresh air (4) and it will evaporate, so it will coolthe fresh air (4) that contains moisture, so that the moisture of thefresh air will condense. After passing the evaporator coils (7), therefrigerant vapour will return to the compressor (16). While theatmospheric outdoor fresh air (4) is withdrawn into the air handlingunit duct (1) by the blower (9), the outdoor warm fresh air (4) willenter the air pre filter (2) and medium filter (3) for dust, dirt, andother pollutants to be eliminated. The fresh air also passes through theUV lights (5) to sterilize the air. Then the fresh air (4) is passed tothe dehumidifier evaporator coils (7). In the dehumidifier evaporatorcoils (7), the moisture of the fresh air (4) will condense. The drip ofthe condensation will be collected to the drip pan (8) and then will bepassed to the discharge line cooler (14) where it will cool thedischarge line (13). The condensed water in the discharge line coolerwill be pumped by condensed water pump (17) to the holding tank (23).The water in the holding tank can be pumped by holding tank pump (18) tobe used to any application or just by gravity by opening the valve (25).The cold fresh air after passing the evaporator coils (7) will flow tothe condenser (15) and cool it so as to save energy. After passing thecondenser (15), the exhaust air will flow to the outdoor (21) throughthe UV lights (24), air medium filter (20) and pre filter (19).

It is important to control the temperature so that the fresh air iscooled at the dew point and the moisture will condense at this point. Itis also necessary to control the refrigerant pressure to a minimum andmaximum allowable pressure to maintain the compressor (16) in a safecondition. Oil pressure control is also necessary to make sure that theoil is always present in the compressor (16). If the air pre and mediumfilters are dirty and need to be changed, it is necessary to have acontrol to make a sign that those filters should have to be changed.

In the scheme of winter operation, the compressor (16) will compressrefrigerant vapour to the condenser (15) through discharge line (13) inhigh pressure and temperature. The discharge line (13) is cooled bydipping it into the cold condensation water drop from the evaporatorcoils (7) in the discharge line cooler (14), which is collected from thedrip pan (8), so it will save energy. In the condenser (15), therefrigerant vapour will reject heat causing the refrigerant beingcondensed. After passing the condenser (15), then the liquid refrigerantwill pass to the expansion valves (6) through the liquid line filterdryer (11) and liquid line sight glass (12). After the refrigerant beingexpanded in the expansion valves (6) then the refrigerant pressure andtemperature will drop significantly and enter to the evaporator coils(7). In the dehumidifier evaporator coils (7), the liquid refrigerantwill absorb heat of the heated fresh air and it will evaporate, so itwill cool the heated fresh air (21) that contains moisture, so that themoisture of the fresh air will condense. After passing the evaporatorcoils (7), the refrigerant vapour will return to the compressor (16).While the atmospheric outdoor cold fresh air (21) is withdrawn into theAir Handling Unit duct (1) by the blower (10), the outdoor fresh air(21) will enter the air pre filter (19) and medium filter (20) for dust,dirt, and other pollutants to be eliminated. The fresh air also passesthrough the UV lights (22) to sterilize the air. Then the cold fresh air(21) is passed to the condenser (15) to be heated so that the humiditywill be increased. After passing the condenser (15), the heated freshair will flow to the dehumidifier evaporator coils (7). In thedehumidifier evaporator coils (7), the moisture of the heated fresh airwill condense. The drip of the condensation will be collected to thedrip pan (8) and then will be passed to the discharge line cooler (14)where it will cool the discharge line (13). The condensed water in thedischarge line cooler will be pumped by cooler pump (17) to the holdingtank (23). The water in the holding tank can be pump by tank pump (18)to be used to any application or just by gravity by opening the valve(25). After passing the evaporator coils (7), the cold fresh air willflow to the outdoor (4) through the UV lights (5), air medium filter (3)and pre filter (2).

The water production machine of this invention consist of:

Air handling unit (1); several evaporator coils (7) to condense themoisture; drip pan (8) to each evaporator coil (7) to collect the watercondensation; Where the air handling unit (1) is connected to fresh air,in the intake (4) of the air handling unit is installed the air prefilter (2), medium filter (3) and UV lights (5).

In the air handling unit (1) is installed several evaporator coils (7)to condensate the moisture, and at the bottom of the air handling unitbelow each evaporator coil is installed drip pan (8) of the condensatewhich is generate from each coil, and a water pipe to collect the waterwhich is connected to a discharge line cooler (14) and then supplied toa water holding tank/storage tank (23) which has UV lights (24). The airthen flows to the outdoor (21) through the condenser (15), UV lights(22), air pre filter (20) and medium filter (19).

The water production machine of this invention using brine as a coolingmedium and an environmentally friendly refrigerant is to gainenvironmentally friendly substance application. All parts, includingpipes and tanks which the potable water flows in, is made of food gradematerial, preferably stainless steel.

An energy saving dehumidifier consists of : condenser (15) which iscooled by the cold air after passing the evaporator coils (7); thedischarge line (13) which is dipped to a cold condensate water which isproduced by the evaporator coils; the refrigerant will be subcooled,then flows through the liquid receiver, liquid line filter dryer, liquidline sight glass, and to the expansion valves (6), and after expanded bythe expansion valves then flows to the evaporator coils (7), and returnto the compressor (16), then after compressed by the compressor, therefrigerant flows to the condenser. The work of the compressor isdecreased due to the handling of the cooling medium of the condenserwhich will save energy.

A combination of an energy saving and environmentally friendlydehumidifier and a water generator which consists of: a water generatormachine using evaporator coils of a dehumidifier; and condensate waterof evaporator coils (7) to cool the discharge line; where therefrigerant of the cooled condenser (15) are passed to the dehumidifierevaporator coils (7) through the expansion valves, which will cool theair and condensate the moisture of the air. The condensate will drip andcollected to a pan (8) and circulate to a holding tank/storage tank (23)after passing the discharge line cooler (14).

A method to produce condensate water from fresh air using energy savingand environmentally friendly dehumidifier, comprising of the followingsteps: For summer and autumn operation, the fresh air (4) flows throughair pre filter (2), medium filter (3) and UV lights (5), then passed toseveral evaporator coils (7) to condensate the moisture and thecondensate collected to a pan (8). Passing the discharge line (13) bydipping it to a discharge line cooler (14) by cold condensate water, sothe refrigerant after the condenser will be subcooled and after passingthrough the expansion valve, will cool the air in the evaporator coils(7) to condensate the moisture passing through the evaporator coils (7).The cold air flows to the condenser (15) and then to the outdoor throughthe UV lights (22), air medium filter (20) and pre filter (19).

While for winter and spring operation, the fresh air (21) flows throughair pre filter (19), medium filter (20) and UV lights (22), then passedto the condenser (15) to heat the air, increasing the humidity of theair. Then the air is passed to several evaporator coils (7) tocondensate the moisture and the condensate collected to a pan (8).Passing the discharge line (13) by dipping it to a discharge line cooler(14) by cold condensate water, so the refrigerant after the condenserwill be subcooled and after passing through the expansion valve, willcool the air in the evaporator coils (7) to condensate the moisturepassing through the evaporator coils (7). The cold air flows to theoutdoor through the UV lights (5), air medium filter (3) and pre filter(2).

While the necessary sensors are sensing the parameter of as follows :discharge pressure, suction pressure, discharge temperature, suctiontemperature, outdoor air temperature and relative humidity, beforeevaporator coil air temperature and relative humidity, after evaporatorcoil air temperature and relative humidity, room air temperature andrelative humidity, etc. The electrical sensors are as follows :electrical voltage, electrical frequency, electrical motor cos phi,electrical motor rpm, compressor electrical current, condenser fanelectrical current, air handling unit blower electrical current, totalelectrical current, ultraviolet lamp indicator, compressor lampindicator, condenser fan lamp indicator, air handling unit blower lampindicator, system failure lamp indicator , etc.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been disclosed,modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addresseeare deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

1. A method for dehumidifying an atmospheric air or the like, the methodcomprising: passing the atmospheric air through a series of an air prefilter, a medium filter and a set of UV lights; drawing the atmosphericair across a cooling means thereby cooling the atmospheric air; at thesame time rejecting the heat of the atmospheric air to remove moisturetherefrom; transferring the moisture removed from the atmospheric air orthe like to a filtering system thereby; and filtering and purifying theremoved moisture wherein the purified moisture is suitable for a watergenerator or drinking purposes.
 2. The method according to claim 1wherein the step of drawing the atmospheric air comprises passing theatmospheric air through a duct of an Air Handling Unit.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, the cooling means is an evaporator coil.
 4. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the direction of drawing theatmospheric air can be switched in a reverse direction using a blowersuch that in a warm climate the atmospheric air is passed through thecooling means then heated while in a cool climate, the atmospheric airis heated then passed through the cooling means.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the step of heating the atmospheric air is conducted by acondenser.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step ofcooling the atmospheric air produces condensation formed from themoisture in the atmospheric air, the condensation is thereby collectedon a drip pan and transferred to a discharge line cooler wherein thecondensation will pass over a refrigerant discharge line of a condensingunit.
 7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the condensation ispumped to a storage tank further comprising the step of monitoring thelevel of water in the storage tank and drawing the atmospheric airacross the cooling means when the level reaches a predetermined lowerlevel in the storage tank.
 8. The method according to claim
 6. whereinthe cooling of the atmospheric air is achieved by connecting theevaporator coil with an expansion valve and the condensing unit.
 9. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the condensing unit comprises one or morecompressors, a condenser, a liquid receiver, a liquid line sight glass,and a liquid line filter dryer.
 10. The method according to claim 8,wherein an environmentally friendly refrigerant is used in therefrigerant line of the condensing unit, evaporator coils and theexpansion valve.
 11. The method according to claim 5, wherein thecooling means and the condenser are in close proximity thereby reducingenergy needed for the method.
 12. The method according to claim 6,wherein the refrigerant discharge line is dipped into the discharge linecooler.
 13. The method according to claim 2, wherein the atmospheric airis heated by the condenser or in other words, the condenser is cooled bythe cold air coming from the cooling means of the Air Handling Unit. 14.An apparatus for dehumidifying atmospheric air or the like_(:) thesystem comprising: a housing; an atmospheric air intake means mounted inthe housing; a cooling means mounted in the housing; a series of an airpre filter, a medium filter and a set of UV lights positioned upstreamto the atmospheric air intake means; a heat-exchanging mean mounted inthe housing; and (f) a chamber associated with the housing;
 15. Theapparatus according to claim 14 including a panel mounted on the housingfor operating the apparatus, including an inverter adapter mounted onthe housing.
 16. A dehumidifier and water condensation system fordehumidifying moisture or the like. the system comprising: an airfiltering means comprising a series of air pre filter, medium filter anda set of UV lights for filtering and sterilizing inlet humid ambientair; a drawing means for drawing humid ambient air from the atmosphereand the air filtering means is positioned upstream to the drawing means;a humidity removal means for removing humidity from the humid ambientair thereby forming dry heated air; a condensation means for condensingthe humidity removed from the humidity removal means thereby formingcondensed water; and a discharging means for discharging the condensedwater from the condensation means to a water collection means.
 17. Themethod of claim 1, wherein filtering and purifying the removed moisturecomprises filtering and purifying the removed moisture with one or morewater filters and one or more ultraviolet light tubes.
 18. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the discharging means discharges the condensed waterto a water collection means via one or more water filters and one ormore ultraviolet light tubes.
 19. The method of claim 6, furthercomprising, after passing the discharge line cooler, passing thecondensation through one or more water filters and one or more UV lighttubes.
 20. The method of claim 6, wherein the drip pan, the dischargeline cooler, and the storage tank are made from food grade stainlesssteel.